Could Liverpool be pointless in January

Man Utd v Hull City, 1 FebruaryRooney has seven goals and four assists in his previous seven PL matches against Hull, including four in one match in January 2010

With the excitement of the FA Cup, particularly the demise of Liverpool, we’ve completely forgotten to ask a guest to play and with only a day’s notice we’ll just play the traditional Manchester Derby version of City vs United!

Dirk: Arsenal 2 – 0 Watford

Arsenal must win this game at home really. Really strong performance and win against Southampton in the FA Cup, with a good return for Wellbeck bodes well for the side. Watford on the other hand have looked extremely out of sorts, especially after their loss in the FA Cup. At home, a confortable win for Arsenal.

Marcel: Arsenal 2 – 0 Watford

Fresh from being dumped out of the FA Cup, Watford’s confidence will be shot while Arsenal’s bit part players like Welbeck scored a few over the weekend to pump up their flacid hopes of league success. In truth, Watford aren’t much competition for anyone lately.

Palace have improved but the Cherries are strong at home. Win for Bournemouth over Big Sam’s men here. Big Sam hasn’t had the impact I thought he’d have with Palace. Definitely feel there’s more to come from Palace as the season progresses though.

Marcel: Bournemouth 1 – 0 Palace

Palace are another premier league team who lost to lower division opposition in the FA Cup. When you think about it, Palace need to focus on escaping the drop, so extra days off between matches and no other competitions as distractions might be in their favour come May. However, in January a trip to Bournemouth is going to be tough and the Cherries should take the points.

Result: Bournemouth 0 – 2 Palace

Major upset 10% predicted this

Dirk: Burnley 1 – 1 Leicester

Both teams are nearer the foot of the table, but surprisingly Burnley look the stronger of the two sides right now. Leicester are current champions and have shown they have fight to them. I think it will be a draw, but the game will be a proper old school EPL battle of a game!

Marcel: Burnley 1 – 0 Leicester MP + WP

Leicester are atrocious defending champions. How often have defending champions been just a few points off relegation the following season? Not a good advertisement for the Premier League.

Result: Burnley 1 – 0 Leicester

Dirk: Middlesbrough 1 – 1 West Brom MP + WP

West Brom have looked really strong lately and I think they’ll be higher than I thought they’d be at t the beginning of the season. Boro have been draw specialist this season, and I got a feeling it will be another draw here. They’ve brought in recruits to help get extra goals, and that could be telling to how their season progresses.

Marcel: Middlesbrough 0 – 2 WBA

Things are falling into place nicely at WBA at the moment. Goals, clean sheets and bags full of points see them in unfamiliar territory on the table. Comfortably 8th regardless of the result at Boro should help them relax and push on for another win.

Spurs had to come back in the FA Cup but that could be good for the side. Sunderland on the other hand I think haven’t signed enough to change their side and Spurs will run rampant on them. Good for Spurs here.

Marcel: Sunderland 0 – 1 Spurs

Sunderland have another uphill battle on their hands as Spurs roll into town. Pocchetino is unlikely to rest any of his better players after the scare of the FA Cup at the hands of mighty Wycombe. Sunderland didn’t have any weekend anxiety after exiting in the previous round.

Result: Sunderland 0 – 0 Spurs

Insane upset! 4% predicted this

Dirk: Swansea 2 – 1 Southampton WP + MP

Swansea are looking sustainably better under Clement and Llorente is hitting some really good form in front of goal. Southampton even though they managed to get to the final of the EPL Cup have really been struggling in front of goal. I think this will prove to be the difference here.

Marcel: Swansea 2 – 1 Southampton WP + MP

Southampton are really struggling with injuries to key members of the squad and will do well to get anything from the trip to Wales. Swansea have upped their game, raised the tempo of their play and look a completely different team from a few weeks ago.

Result: Swansea 2 – 1 Southampton

Upset 31% predicted this

Klopp: “Stay positive. There’s no reason for anything else. In the short-term, against Chelsea, it would help a lot.” pic.twitter.com/QzBVsrJMcZ

I know this is a surprising choice for most people but I think the return of Mane here could swing the tie in Liverpool’s favour. Liverpool at home against the big sides lift their game. With January being a really bad month for Klopp he desperately needs a good result, and I think he’ll get it!

Marcel: Liverpool 2 – 1 Chelsea

I’m hoping for a Chelsea win but there’s something about Anfield. Liverpool don’t lose too often at home, and Klopp’s January has to end somewhere. I can’t imagine the tension in the dressing room if they go a whole month only having a W against Plymouth. After a replay. In the FA Cup.

Some not so classy Hammers fans leaving charming messages on Payet’s instagram account like spurned lovers.

Dirk: West Ham 1 – 2 Man City WP

It’s a very different West Ham to the one City faced last time, and Carroll has got them firing again. City have been a bit up and down of late, but a return to the side for Kompany and a resurgent performance against Spurs put the momentum with City. City to come away from London with a hard fought win.

Marcel: West Ham 1 – 1 Manchester City

One thing that’s almost certain, City will concede a goal. Do West Ham have the resolve to fight now that Payet has officially returned to France? It could be a tough few months as the Hammers fight for that magical 40 points.

Result: West Ham 0 – 4 Manchester City

Man Utd v Hull City, 1 FebruaryRooney has seven goals and four assists in his previous seven PL matches against Hull, including four in one match in January 2010 (premierleague.com)

Dirk: Man United 2 – 1 Hull City

United may have lost the second leg of their EPL Cup match to Hull, but that was a changed Untied side. Things should be back to normal here – I expect it to definitely be a Untied win at home. Hull are looking better under Silva but this is a test too far for them.

Marcel: Manchester United 2 – 0 Hull

Hull showed some promise last week in the cup match at Old Trafford. United didn’t field their strongest team though and when the subs started rolling, even a disjointed United side looked to be able to create opportunities. I expect Mourinho will have learnt something and field a much stronger eleven.

Result: Manchester United 0 – 0 Hull City

Insane upset! 3% predicted this

Dirk: Stoke 1 – 1 Everton WP + MP

Both teams are much improved and strengthened well in this transfer window. Form is both teams favour, and I think if it was Everton at home I’d be going for them to win. Stoke at home are always difficult, I think they’ll battle it out for a point here.

Marcel: Stoke 2 – 1 Everton

Stoke at home is no picnic. Everton are still lacking consistency although they do seem to be playing a much tighter style recently. I expect a cagey game with goals late in the second half.